214 ON ANIMAL AND 



Upon my arrival at Gibraltar, in the year 1788, 

 five years after the last memorable siege, I was 

 informed that some persons had very lately been 

 poisoned, and others much injured, by the eating 

 of muscles ; and that upon inquiry, it was ascer- 

 tained, that the fish, which had produced these 

 mischievous effects, had attached themselves to 

 the copper bottoms and broken portions of the 

 Spanish gun boats and floating batteries, which 

 had been sunk in the bay, when the last unavail- 

 ing effort had been made by the enemy to get 

 possession of the garrison. Muscles were, in 

 consequence, considered a poisonous fish, and 

 fell into complete disuse; and oysters, which 

 there, are of a very fine quality, were eaten for 

 some time with great caution. 



Much ambiguity attaches to the sources from 

 which these, and some other fish, derive their poi- 

 sonous qualities ; as well as in what part of the 

 fish, the poison is the most active. It appears 

 to be a good precaution, however, (and which is 

 confirmed by the testimony of Dr. Thomas, who 

 states, that the entrails of the tropical poison fish, 

 if well removed, destroys its deleterious quality, 

 or if given to a dog, cat, or duck, immediately 

 poisons them ;) to gut all fish well, and to wash 

 the inside very clean before it be used ; and in 

 the muscle to remove every dark and black por- 

 tion from it, previously to its being eaten ; and to 

 find out if possible, upon what bank, or shore, 

 it has been taken. 



